Iron Maiden shared in a statement that British drummer Simon Dawson will join the band as they return to the road for its 50th anniversary Run for Your Lives World Tour in 2025. Dawson replaces Nicko McBrain on drums, who performed his last shows with the band as they concluded their 2024 The Future Past Tour. 

The band’s statement read: “Iron Maiden are delighted to announce that stepping in behind the kit for 2025 is a name familiar to many of our fans – Simon Dawson, a former session drummer and Steve’s rhythm section partner of the past 12 years with British Lion. A native of Suffolk, England, Simon first teamed up with Steve Harris back in 2012. He debuted on three tracks on the first British Lion album and all of the second critically acclaimed ‘The Burning’, plus the many subsequent tours in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and, most recently, both Mexico and South America.”

McBrain announced his touring retirement after 42 years, but said he will remain part of the band’s family with several projects in the works. McBrain shared on Iron Maiden’s website: “After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle.  I wish the band much success moving forward. I will, however, remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family working on a variety of projects, my long time managers, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, have in mind for me. I’ll also be working on a variety of different personal projects and focusing on my existing businesses and ventures, including The British Drum Company, Nicko McBrain’s Drum One, Titanium Tart, and of course, Rock-N-Roll Ribs!”

The 2025 Run for our Lives World Tour trek kicks off on May 27th in Budapest followed by 27 stadium, festival, and arena shows around Europe spanning over two-years.  For information, head to Iron Maiden’s official website.

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